Much of your hard work can be undermined in the final hours before the race — and in the race itself — by making some common mistakes.

Following these tips can help you get the most out of your Crim experience, whether you're looking for a fast time or simple to finish upright:

• Do not wait until race day to get your race packet. You don't need the extra stress of waiting in line and rushing around before the race. Packet pickup and late registration took place Thursday and will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at the Riverfront Conference Center near the start line.

• While it's tempting to feast at the pre-race carbo-loading dinner, be careful. I'll never forget this line from John "The Penguin" Bingham during a talk he gave at the Crim a few years back: "When you carbo load, you also have to carbo unload." Eat a light and sensible meal the night before the race.

• On the same note, head straight to the port-a-john line once you arrive at the race. You don't want to be stuck there too close to the start of the race. Better yet, stop at a fast-food joint and use their facilities before getting downtown to save yourself time in line.

• This is targeted mostly at men: Do not wear cotton T-shirts in the race. Cotton gains the consistency of sandpaper on your skin once exposed to sweat over the course of a 10-mile race. Nobody wants to see bloody nipples on Saturday. Wear a tech shirt or even no shirt at all. An anti-chafing product would be a nice investment, as well. There will be plenty at the Crim expo.

• If you are going to use an energy gel, be sure to start taking it about a quarter mile before a water station. That way you've finished it in time to get some water to help get it into your system. For a 10-mile race, you'll probably need only one gel, the best time to take it being just before you hit the five-mile mark at the Bradleys. If you've never used a gel in training, Saturday is not the time to experiment with one in case it upsets your stomach.

• You are going to feel higher than a kite waiting at the start line with 8,000 of your closest friends. You may drown in your own adrenaline and try to go out too fast. Don't! This is a 10-mile race, not a 5K. Ease into the race in the early miles, don't waste energy trying to weave through congestion and find your rhythm after a mile or two.

• Stay hydrated! Drink plenty of water the day before the race, the morning of the race and throughout the race. Start taking water early, even if you don't feel thirsty.

• Be sure you know the course and where the next turn will be. You'll end up running longer than you need to if you run on the right side of the road when the next turn is a left. Running the shortest tangents will shorten your race and improve your time.

• There will be a lot of cool running gear available for bargain prices at the Crim expo. It's a great time to stock up on new clothes or shoes. However, do not use anything new in the race. Run only in shoes and clothes that you've used in training to avoid potential blisters or chafing.

• Most importantly, regardless of your goals on Saturday, always remember this: Have fun. This is a job for only a small percentage of the field. It's a positive lifestyle choice for the rest of us, so enjoy yourself, soak up the atmosphere and celebrate your accomplishment afterward, whether or not you hit your goal time.